The technology of building

Building technologies, concepts of sustainability and building

regulation

Julian Swindell

Why do we need buildings?

It’s all to do with the Book of Genesis

The Human animal• What is a human being?• A hairless, bipedal sub-tropical

ground dwelling ape

What environment suits us?

• Warm, 25-30 degrees C, not too wet, not too dry

• Plenty of food to hand• No physical threats (lions and tigers,

enemy tribes etc.)• In other words…

The garden of Eden: where we really want to be

What environments do we actually live in?

How do we create the environment we need?

Buildings

The basic reason why we create buildings?

• To create artificial environments which are suited to human life and activities– All other functions (aesthetics,

power/control, cultural identity) are subservient to this

– Even a prison must satisfy this basic function or the prisoners will die

Architecture

The Vitruvian qualities of architecture:

Firmness, commodity and delight

• Firmness: structural stability and durability

• Commodity: functional satisfaction• Delight: aesthetics and humanity

Building technologies: aspects of firmness

• Enclosure• Structure• Environmental control• Utility servicing• Building materials

Enclosure

The separation of the interior from the exterior

Enclosure allows the creation of a controlled

environment

Basic domestic enclosure

Enclosed environments permit otherwise impossible activities

Internal “enclosure”

Internal enclosures permit different activities, controlled privacy, isolation of dangers and varying internal environment

Walls, you can build them of anything, nearly

British wallsCavity walls: Two leaves, separated by a drained cavity for weather resistanceBrick and block commonCavity often insulated

Timber framed walls: Vertical studs and horizontal plates braced by a layer of plywood one side to form structural panels.External weather proof layer added, often brickwork in UKInsulation inside the timber panel

British floors

Solid concrete on the groundSuspended timber joists and boardsPrecast concrete beams and infill

British roofsGang-nailed trussed raftersPrefabricated structuresSecured and tied down to walls and gables

Roof covering: under the finishSarking layer, Ideally breathable but water proof

Battens: softwood, treated against decay. Nailed to rafters through sarking and nailed to top of gable wall

Sarking should sag between rafters and project into gutter at eaves

Roof coveringsDouble lap plain tiles and slatesSingle lap interlocking tilesVentilation if roof space crucial

Clear ventilation gap at eaves

Internal partitions, openings, finishes, etc. etc.

The Englishman’s (contemporary) Castle

• Firmness?– Yes

• Commodity?– OK

• Delight?– ?

Building Control

• Building control (as opposed to development control) is a technical issue

• Building control is achieved through the application of the Building Regulations

• Regulations were most recently published in 2000 and are covered by the Building Act of 1984

• Building regulations may be administered by a local authority or by a private approved inspector

Building control process

• The building owners submits either Full Plans or a Building Notice application– Full Plans allows prior approval to be given by

the inspector– Building Notice means prior approval is not

given. This can be quicker but carry higher risk if works are found not to comply.

• Building works are then inspected on site during construction by either the local authority or an approved private inspector

14 Areas coveredA. Structure

B. Fire safety

C. Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture

D. Toxic substances

E. Resistance to the passage of sound

F. Ventilation

G. Hygiene

H. Drainage and waste disposal

J. Combustion appliance and fuel storage systems

K. Protection from falling, collision and impact

L. Conservation of fuel and power

M. Access to and use of buildings

N. Glazing-safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning

P. Electrical safety

Approved documents

• Each area has an associated “Approved Document” (AD)– An AD sets out good practice which if complied

with will be deemed to have satisfied the Building Regulations

– If you build differently from the AD, you must prove that your alternative design is as good as that in the AD.

Concepts of sustainability

• Government policy was to build “sustainable communities”

• Low or even zero carbon building technologies and lifestyles. May be legislated for, but economic slowdown has changed all policies

• Conversion of existing buildings into sustainable buildings is the real challenge.